DETROIT (12/8/2015) -- It is with great sadness that the University of Detroit Mercy Department of Athletics received the news of the passing of former U-D football standout John Conti, who entered eternal life on Tuesday morning, December 8.

"Detroit lost a great alum, someone who was a great representative for the Titans and for the University," said Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels, Jr. "When you talk about Titan football, John Conti is one of the first names that come up. He was a winner on and off the field and touched so many lives with his work in the community and with the charities he was a part off."

Conti played football at Detroit from 1946-1949 and was inducted into the Titan Hall of Fame in 1984. On the gridiron, he was one of the best offensive and defensive lineman in the country, helping the Titans win their first Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 1949.

Conti was captain of the 1949 title team and earned United Press Honorable Mention All-American accolades in 1948. He was also known as one of the biggest players in collegiate football at the time standing at 6-1, 300 pounds.  With his size and strength, he helped Detroit tally a school-record 547 yards rushing against Duquesne in 1949. He was also a dominant pass rusher. 

Even in his playing days, he served as U-D's freshman line coach in 1949 and 1950. 

He was inducted into the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund's Michigan Hall of Fame in 2009 and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also the recipient of the U-D Alumnus Award and has been in the Athletic Director's Ring Award.

A business major, he went on to a highly successful career working for Anheuser Busch for 41 years. He was also honored in that field as well as the Michigan Food and Beverage Association's Man of the Year Award in 1992.

A man of character, he was involved in a number of charities, including the United Way, Children's Hospital of Detroit, the March of Dimes and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was also part of establishing NFL Alumni Celebrity Golf Tournaments all over the country. 

The State of Michigan recognized Conti in 1984 for his achievements in sports and for his tireless efforts for charitable causes by honoring him with a resolution in the state legislature for his community service.

In 1984, the University of Detroit gave him one of the biggest accolades someone can receive by establishing the John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award, given to former varsity athletes who bring honor to themselves and the school through efforts in their workplace and the community. Some of the winners of that award include Earl Cureton, Dennis Flynn, Reggie Hall, Jermaine Jackson, Bob Koval and Bob Miller. 

Viewing
Thursday 5-8 p.m.
Friday 3-8 p.m. 
Desmond and Sons
2600 Crooks Rd, Troy.

Funeral
Saturday 11:00 a.m.
Prince of Peace Church
4300 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfield